US content with dialog on democracy
A State Department official has said the United States was content
with the outcomes of the last round of dialog with Azerbaijan on
democracy issues.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, David Kramer, told state news agency Azertag that he had held lengthy and comprehensive talks with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku. The meetings proceeded very constructively and all issues were covered, he said.
"In my opinion, we have an opportunity to turn democracy and human rights into a positive and pivotal part of US-Azerbaijan relations," Kramer said.
The US official said he had brought to the fore the October presidential elections during his talks in Baku. "The election is an opportunity for Azerbaijan to show its best."
He expressed hope that the pre-election campaigns, the voting and the post-election period would be in line with the standards of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
"During the discussions I expressed hope that the registration of the Election Monitoring Center would be restored. We also hope that Azerbaijan will send an invitation to ODIHR to observe the elections."
Kramer went on to say that some Azerbaijani political parties, instead of boycotting the election, should take part in the electoral process.
"I believe that with a balanced campaign and equal access to media resources, the boycotting parties` interest in the elections may actually increase," he said, voicing hope that all parties involved in the October vote would deem it as an opportunity to be closely involved in the political process.
Azerbaijan will hold a presidential poll October 15. The main opposition bloc, Azadlig, has said it would boycott the election, while Musavat and the Azerbaijan Democratic Party are hesitant on their decision.
Kramer said media freedom issues were also mooted during his Baku visit. He said the U.S. lauded President Aliyev`s release of five journalists under a pardon decree but was concerned over the ongoing imprisonment of three others.
"We hope that this issue will find its solution as well," he added.
The latest round of US-Azeri dialog on democracy took place in Baku on June 27.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, David Kramer, told state news agency Azertag that he had held lengthy and comprehensive talks with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku. The meetings proceeded very constructively and all issues were covered, he said.
"In my opinion, we have an opportunity to turn democracy and human rights into a positive and pivotal part of US-Azerbaijan relations," Kramer said.
The US official said he had brought to the fore the October presidential elections during his talks in Baku. "The election is an opportunity for Azerbaijan to show its best."
He expressed hope that the pre-election campaigns, the voting and the post-election period would be in line with the standards of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
"During the discussions I expressed hope that the registration of the Election Monitoring Center would be restored. We also hope that Azerbaijan will send an invitation to ODIHR to observe the elections."
Kramer went on to say that some Azerbaijani political parties, instead of boycotting the election, should take part in the electoral process.
"I believe that with a balanced campaign and equal access to media resources, the boycotting parties` interest in the elections may actually increase," he said, voicing hope that all parties involved in the October vote would deem it as an opportunity to be closely involved in the political process.
Azerbaijan will hold a presidential poll October 15. The main opposition bloc, Azadlig, has said it would boycott the election, while Musavat and the Azerbaijan Democratic Party are hesitant on their decision.
Kramer said media freedom issues were also mooted during his Baku visit. He said the U.S. lauded President Aliyev`s release of five journalists under a pardon decree but was concerned over the ongoing imprisonment of three others.
"We hope that this issue will find its solution as well," he added.
The latest round of US-Azeri dialog on democracy took place in Baku on June 27.
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